For us, it was when I was finally moving to his city. Entry level salary - it just made sense to share the costs of an apartment rather than try to afford two when we'd spend most of our free time together at one or the other. We weren't engaged yet, but were pretty sure we were headed that way, so it was also a good time to find out it we could comfortably cohabitate, especially because we had only been a long distance couple before that time.

And sorry, Dad, but I think it's a really good idea for a couple to find out if they can stand each other's 24/7 quirks and habits before you tie yourselves together legally.

If you have not figured before you move in that this is someone you can live with, then don't. You want to try-out before getting serious? How about you go full in not expecting to come out, so you know, you have to make it work?

What, you think the breakup is easier because you are not married? You kids are fooling yourselves. Nobody said to not have sex before marriage, which in practice it really is impossible, but if you can't figure out how to work a steady relationship without looking out the window to see if there is something better out there, you should not move in together. Take a stand and marry before you move in. No more wondering, no more questions, make peace with it and enjoy the woman your God or god or brain gave you.

/23 years married//moved in not after court wedding, but 4 months later, after church wedding./// GET OFF MY LAWN!

If you have not figured before you move in that this is someone you can live with, then don't. You want to try-out before getting serious? How about you go full in not expecting to come out, so you know, you have to make it work?

This is a terrible idea. You don't really know somebody until you live in the same place for at least 6 months; preferably 12 to 24 months.

If you have not figured before you move in that this is someone you can live with, then don't. You want to try-out before getting serious? How about you go full in not expecting to come out, so you know, you have to make it work?

This is a terrible idea. You don't really know somebody until you live in the same place for at least 6 months; preferably 12 to 24 months.

/26 years married, happily//lived together 20 months first

Live together 24/7 for two weeks with intermittent power, a broken water pipe, a couple of sick toddlers AND a dog with diarrhea - I believe this was Erma Bombeck's advice, although I'm paraphrasing mightily.

We moved in after the first year. We both thought we were getting married very soon after we started dating, and neither of us were going anywhere, but we weren't ready for "the paperwork" yet. had to be sure of it.

We weren't 'looking out the window' or 'keeping a finger on the eject button' I just had to make sure she could put up with me. And living with someone 24/7 is a big change from a more distant but still committed relationship. There is a lot you just don't think about yourself that they won't notice till you are in close for a while. Married 4 years later, coming up on our 9th anniversary.

A local radio station commercial for a jeweler has this premise: The man is asleep, and his girlfriend is trying to plant a subconscious suggestion in his dreams that he should go to so-and-so jewelers to buy engagement and wedding rings, on credit, with easy terms, blah blah blah. The man awakens, she says "Good Morning Honey!" He comes back with a line about having a strange dream about going to the jeweler's.....

I'd lived with women before and it didn't work out. We split and it all worked out without lawyering up and having a huge hassle. I lived with my now wife for a little over a year before we got hitched. We both felt we needed to know the person's quirks, and if we could live with them, before we committed.

This also goes for having children. We didn't decide to have our son until we were married for two years just to make sure we were going to stick together.

And yes we discussed this right out in the open with no beating around the bush, just like we try to do with all medium to big decisions. Honest and forthright communication is a must.

namegoeshere:For us, it was when I was finally moving to his city. Entry level salary - it just made sense to share the costs of an apartment rather than try to afford two when we'd spend most of our free time together at one or the other. We weren't engaged yet, but were pretty sure we were headed that way, so it was also a good time to find out it we could comfortably cohabitate, especially because we had only been a long distance couple before that time.

And sorry, Dad, but I think it's a really good idea for a couple to find out if they can stand each other's 24/7 quirks and habits before you tie yourselves together legally.